A Review on CO2 Absorption using Chemical Solvents at Low and High CO2 Partial Pressure Conditions in a Packed Column

CO2 removal is important for industrial flue gas treatment, biogas enhancement, and natural gas (NG) processing applications. Chemical absorption using an amine-based solvent is a proven technology for CO2 removal from various gases. In recent years, various promising amine solvents have been investigated, either as single or blended solutions, to enhance the CO2 absorption process at low and high CO2 partial pressure conditions. Low CO2 partial pressures (1 – 47 kPa) have been utilized in numerous research works focusing on flue gas treatment and biogas enhancement applications. On the other hand, high CO2 partial pressures were instead applied in NG processing ranging between 750 and 1600 kPa. To provide more insight into the current trends, existing research on CO2 absorption in amine-based solvents is presented in this review focusing on absorption performance in a packed column at low and high CO2 partial pressures. Reports on the effect of different parameters, namely CO2 partial pressure, gas, and liquid flow rates, amine concentrations, and liquid temperature, on the removal of CO2 in the packed column are included. Based on the review, the future direction is further highlighted in this area.